Image Focus Scores show how well the faces in a photo are in focus, so you can filter your review to your sharpest photos. Scores range from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest). Each score takes into account how sharp each assessed face is, how important that person is in the photo, and the photo's overall context.
A focus score is a guide. It doesn't guarantee the whole photo is sharp.
Where do I find a photo's focus score?
A photo's focus score shows with its other assessments, next to Close-ups.
What does a blue focus score icon mean?
A blue focus score icon means the photo has the highest, or joint highest, focus score in its Scene.
How do I filter photos by focus score?
The Focus dropdown in the filter bar has five options:
All Image Focus Scores: shows every photo, whatever its score. This is the default.
Image Focus Score X and Above: shows photos with that score or higher, for example 6 to 10.
Image Focus Score X and Below: shows photos with that score or lower, for example 5 and below.
Exact Image Focus Score: shows only photos with that score, for example only 8s.
No focus score: shows only photos that don't have a focus score.
To filter by focus score:
Click the Filter icon in the toolbar.
Open the Focus dropdown.
Choose the option you want.
Your grid then shows only the photos that match.
Note: When you filter by a score range, like 6 and above, photos without a focus score are hidden. To keep them in view, check Include Images without Image Focus scores. Otherwise, detail shots and other photos without faces drop out of the filtered view.
Some ways to use the focus filter:
Filter to 7 and above to see only photos with sharp, well-focused subjects.
Filter to No focus score to find landscapes, details and other photos without faces.
Filter to an exact score to review photos at a specific level.
Why doesn't a photo have a focus score?
A photo has no focus score when Narrative hasn't assessed a face in it. That doesn't mean the photo is out of focus. Faces in the background aren't assessed on purpose, and face detection can sometimes miss a subject.
On a Mac running macOS 14 or later, AI First Pass still ranks photos without faces by how sharp they are compared with the rest of their Scene. That ranking is separate from the 1 to 10 focus score. Learn about AI First Pass.
Should I pick photos by focus score alone?
A focus score only tells you about focus, so use it alongside your own judgment. A face can be perfectly sharp with closed eyes, because the eye and focus indicators measure different things. Check expression, composition and the other options in the Scene before you keep or reject a photo.
Which plans include focus scores?
Focus scores and the Focus filter are part of Advanced AI Culling, on Standard, Premium and Ultra plans. Compare plans.
If a focus score doesn't seem to match the photo, see Why is Narrative showing a high focus score for an out-of-focus image?